re: 12 Steps vs other methods in recovery

The real satisfying work comes from helping other alcoholics. Just give it time and work the process.

I spent years trying to sort through the higher power stuff and still don’t really have that portion figured out

I suggest you power through and at least finish the steps and give it some time. If you still don’t like the steps and meetings after, then try to find other ways you think will help you.

Going into my fourth year of sobriety, actually had 1 day of drinking in the last 6 years. This is a tough question, I can tell you that living in a rural area like I do the meetings were hard to sit through. 75% of the people in there were court mandates and they weren't serious about their recovery and the guy "in charge" was just a miserable old bastard who actually made me want to drink so I could tolerate his arse. The 12 steps have worked for a lot of people, so you can't discount it completely. This is what I suggest, but only as I experienced it. Get a good physical exam and have everything checked out as much as you can. Good baseline in case there is something going on medically. Stay away from obvious triggers for a while like parties, casinos, whatever. Don't be scared to let your buds know that you are trying to go sober. They don't have to babysit you but most good friends will help hold you accountable without judgement. Keep a journal and write down what you are feeling as precisely as possible when the urge to drink hits you. I know a lot of people talk about filling your time with things like exercise and volunteering, etc. While that is all good, you gotta get to the point where you are strong enough to not take a drink without trying to distract yourself. Also, stay away from NA beer or anything like that. It's a good way to fall off the wagon. Good luck. If I can do it anyone can.

Good advice here from y’all. AA has no monopoly on recovery. That said it works and we know it does. It’s the steps though for me. There is celebrate recovery which is Christian based I think There are many. Also AA online meetings 24 7 is a useful tool

It works if you work it.

5/12/2016

You have to want to change. Sounds like you have want. Just stick with it.

Different things work for different folks. I didnt succeed at 12 step, but learned a lot doing it.

You'll find good in all approaches, just use what you can, discard what you cant.

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Here’s a Buddhist based program

Buddhist recovery

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That was my preferred program. 20 minutes of meditation, readings, and then group stuff.

Meditation helped me more than anything. Being able to sit with your thoughts and emotions in silence is a powerful tool.

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Stumbling is NOT ok. That kind of attitude gets you to relapse. Put your head done and get it done

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This is not said enough.

Progress not perfection is complete and utter bullshite.

Perfection is what you aspire to achieve.